INDONESIAN RED CROSS GOES TO CAMPUS FOR MORE BLOOD by Fardah

      Jakarta, Nov 30, 2010 (ANTARA) - After targeting shoppers, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is now going to campuses to collect more fresh blood donations from university students.
      PMI Chief Jusuf Kalla and Rector of Trisakti University Prof. Dr. Thoby Mutis inaugurated a blood donation outlet at the university`s campus in West Jakarta, Tuesday.
       It is the second PMI`s blood donation outlet set up at a university campus, as the first one was inaugurated at the Hasanuddin University`s campus in Makassar, South Sulawesi, several months ago.

ANGKLUNG RECEIVES WORLD RECOGNITION by Fardah

      Jakarta, Nov 19, 2010 (ANTARA) - Angklung, Indonesia`s traditional bamboo musical instrument, which has been frequently played before international audiences in Indonesia as well as overseas, has finally received world recognition.
       Angklung was one of 47 nominations from 29 countries, which had been examined by the UNESCO Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (IGC-ICH) in its fifth session in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday (Nov 17), for inscription into the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

GOVT URGED TO PURSUE CLAIM ON MONTARA OIL SPILL by Fardah

       Jakarta, Nov 16, 2010 (ANTARA) - Although Indonesia`s claim for compensation on the Timor Sea oil spill has been rejected by the Montara oil field`s operator, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) Australasia, an NGO has urged the government not to give up but to continue pursuing its demand.
        "Indonesia must not keep quiet about the matter but follow it up," Riza Damanik, secretary general of the People`s Coalition for Fishery Justice (Kiara) said in Jakarta on Monday (Nov 15).
        "It`s regrettable that PTTEP has twice refused the claim amounting to US$2.4 billion presented by Indonesia for the oil spill in the Timor Sea," Damanik said.

Nostalgic Obama charms Indonesians by Fardah

     Jakarta, Nov 10, 2010 (ANTARA News) - The brief visit of US President Barack Obama, especially thanks to his smart interactions with the Indonesian leaders and people directly and indirectly, has been a great success for both Obama and Indonesia.
     Obama, who had spent around four years during his childhood in Jakarta and joined local elementary schools, opened up about his nostalgic feeling about Indonesia, especially its people as well as local food, during his short visit in Jakarta.
    Equally, many Indonesians have loved him since he had declared his US presidential candidacy. Unfortunately some of them "had lost" interest in Obama due among other things to the fact that he twice canceled a trip to Jakarta earlier this year, the slow progress in US-sponsored Middle East peace talks, his policies on Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama's visit and alleged hidden imperialistic agenda by Fardah

    Jakarta, Nov 8, 2010 (ANTARA News) - After twice canceling his planned visit to Indonesiam namely in March and June this year, it is almost certain that US President Barack Obama will finally land in Jakarta Tuesday (Nov 9) despite the Mount Merapi eruptions.
     Obama`s spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said in New Delhi Monday morning (Nov 8) that US officials were monitoring travel conditions closely due to the ongoing Mount Merapi eruption, but they were "proceeding with plans to depart for Indonesia" Tuesday (Nov 9), Associated Press reported.
     Indonesia is scheduled to be the second stop on Obama`s four-country trip through Asia, covering India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan.